I don’t know about you, but when a person says they’re a Christian, I quietly watch them And how they treat others. That goes for social media, too. I also study God’s Word, so no one can twist Scripture and mislead me. Knowledge of His Word is extremely important. Be careful on social media with all the translations and the subtle changes.

The King James Version is my favorite Bible. A close second is the New American Standard. One of my sweetest times to study Scripture with the Holy Spirit was when I bought the New Living Translation, Touch Point Bible, in 1998. It was my first modern translation and I intently read it through, while comparing it to the KJV. I strongly felt God’s presence throughout that entire year, as I contemplated what I read.  

The 20^th century pastor, Marshall Keeble, gets credit for being the first to say, “I’m not the judge. I’m just a fruit inspector.” I imagine that has been a practice since Jesus returned to heaven. I’ve heard others say this throughout my life. I respectfully watch those who profess to love the Lord.

That works both ways. I know people are watching me. I didn’t realize how well it is ingrained in me to do what is right, until I dropped a bag of candy in the store. My husband suggested that I put it back on the shelf and get another one. Our favorite candy is fragile.

I immediately rebuked him. “Look at you trying to make me be a bad Christian!” He laughed when I frowned at up him, but it was the young man walking past us that caught my attention. When he looked me in the eye, I knew he had seen and heard what just happened. He looked familiar.

Tests come in so many different ways. I understood why my husband wanted to exchange the package, but it was wrong. The assorted, filled Ghirardelli premium dark chocolate squares are expensive and often broken in their foil covering when we get them home. Things often happen at the checkout that upset him, but this time it was my fault.

A prideful heart exalts itself not God. He hates pride and arrogance with a passion. Proverbs 6:16-18 are major deadly sins. “These six things doth the LORD hate; yea seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.”

Scripture goes so far as to say He hates the person in verse 19, “A false witness that speaks lies and he that soweth discord among brethren.” I can’t bear the thought of God hating, but Dear Reader, He does. If you enjoy upsetting folks, especially Christians, beware. God is watching.

Most Christians stumble daily. I certainly do. But they recover and good fruit flows from them. In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus gave us the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares.” The “wheat” draws people to the Lord, while the “tares” hurt the cause of Christ. If I continually see bad fruit in a “Christian,” I pray for discernment.

The Holy Spirit often brings verses to my mind. Like Matthew 7:16-17, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” Trust your gut. It’s a gift from your Creator.

I inspect, because Christians are not to keep company with, or even to eat with anyone named a brother or a sister who lives in unrepentant sin. This is important. 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 2 Thessalonians 3:14 command us not to keep company with such a person. This does NOT apply to non-believers. We are to be a light for them.

Galatians 5:13-26 are verses about letting the Holy Spirit guide us. Our moral life is governed by God’s Spirit and not the lusts of the flesh. If we will yield to His promptings. I often ask Him to make me more sensitive to His will, because my immoral nature gives me much grief. Truly, Jesus is my only hope for heaven.

I’m not going to list all the sinful activities in Galatians 5:19-21, but you should read them. If He doesn’t convict you of them, you do not belong to Him. Gossip, envy, and hatred are on the list. Outbursts of anger is one of those activities that I battle with at times. There are others.

Recently, I called to cancel an appointment and it turned into a shouting match. In my defense, she raised her voice and talked over me. I’m at a time in my life when I react immediately to rudeness. When she hung up on me, I called right back. She put me on hold without delay, and the office manager took care of my problem. Thankfully, I had regained control.

You may have noticed that I struggle with meekness. I dislike insolent people, but it was Monday and 7:30 in the morning. Maybe she was having a bad day, but I suspect her anger was over the problem being her mistake. I refused her “fix” for it, because it would have inconvenienced my husband very much.

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” I was half asleep when I called. Her attitude, her words and the tone of her voice caused me to react in anger. I was stunned by the turn of events and sad that I had lost my temper. What a horrible way to start the day.

Getting back to Galatians, Scripture plainly says in verse 21, people “Who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” That’s referring to practicing these sins daily, and thinking nothing of it. Grace doesn’t change the way God feels about sin. He hates it. His children cannot continue to sin without Him correcting their behavior. You’ll find that in Hebrews 12:6-7.

The Holy Spirit teaches us to be dependent on God to produce “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Because of Him and prayer, the rest of that Monday was good. I cannot consistently produce the fruit of the Spirit. He sparks my conscience and I immediately repent.

I say immediately, because I do not want to grieve the heart of God. I want to walk in fellowship with Him. More than anything, I want to be the person that the Holy Spirit is trying so hard to develop. I try to love Him as much as He loves me, but that’s impossible. If the world knew how wonderful it felt to be loved by the Creator, it would flock to Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 “Ye shall seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart.” Dear Reader, I know this to be true. If you will seek Him, He will respond to your sincere heart. He left no doubt in mine. Belonging to Jesus is priceless.